Rabindranath Tagore's Contribution to Indian Society
Rabindranath Tagore made a significant contribution to the Indian society through various aspects including politics, literature, and music. In 1913, Tagore was awarded a Nobel Prize for literature. He had a multitalented personality which made him be recognized in the world. He was a philosophy, a poet, a composer, a painter, a novelist, a playwright, and a visual artist. Rabindranath composed the Indian national anthem. Tagore was an acclaimed cultural reformer, and he modified the Bengali art through rebuffing structures which confined with the classical Indian forms. Despite being a polymath, his literary works were also celebrated. He spread his ideologies to the world, and he embarked on a tour to unite the world. Rabindranath carried out lectures in countries such as the US and Japan and voiced out his nationalism objective. During his last days, Rabindranath was in constant pain due to the comatose condition. He later died in 1941 August 7 in Jorasanko mansion. As such, Rabindranath Tagore was a great Indian poet, and his contribution towards the Indian society is vast and unforgettable.
Biography
Rabindranath Childhood and Early Life
Tagore’s mother was called Sarada Devi and his father was Debendranath Tagore. He was born in British India in a town called Calcutta on 7th May 1861. Rabindranath had 13 siblings, and he was the youngest in the family. Rabindranath was raised by servants and maids because his mother died when he was still a young boy. Moreover, his father was an extensive traveler and therefore did not spent time with his son. Rabindranath was part of the Bengal renaissance at a very young age (Dutta and Robinson 14). Tagore was a child prodigy, and he began to write poems when he was eight years. Rabindranath began to compose artworks at a tender age, and when he was 16 years, he had already started publishing poems. His inspiration emanated from the classical poetry of Kalidasa as well as from his sisters and brothers. Tagore majorly schooled at home, and his siblings trained him in various fields including anatomy, martial arts, history, literature, gymnastics, and mathematics among others. He followed his father to various tours in 1873 from where he was able to accumulate knowledge on different subjects. He learned about Sikhism while staying at Amritsar.
Education
Rabindranath formal education started at a public school in Brighton, East Sussex of England in 1878. His father wanted Rabindranath to become a barrister. However, he vehemently despised formal education, and as a result, he did not show interest in school (Sen 21). He enrolled at the University College in London where he learned the law but later dropped out. Tagore returned to India and married Mrinalini Devi who was ten years. He was thus not able to receive proper formal education due to his constant critics regarding the British education system.
Establishment of Santiniketan and Politics
Tagore’s father had significantly brought a great influence in Santiniketan land. Tagore wanted to establish an experimental school and thus went to Santiniketan in 1901. During his stay in Santiniketan, Rabindranath’s wife and two children died. This made him be devastated. At the same time, his works started to grow and became popular not only in Bengali society but also among the foreign readers. Thus, Tagore gained vast recognition in the world, and this culminated in his award as a Nobel Prize in Literature in 1913 (Sen 11). Politically, Rabindranath denounced nationalism, and he advocated for the independence of India. He supported the Indian nationalists and criticized the imperialist system that was prominent in Europe. He renounced the Jallianwala Bagh massacre and condemned the education system offered in India as it reflected the English method.
The World Tour and Literary Works
Tagore believed in having one world, and he thus embarked on a world tour where he aimed to spread out his ideologies. He caught the attention of many legendary poets in places including Rome, Mexico, and Singapore. Through the traveling, he was able to meet other prominent figures such as Mussolini and Einstein. By 1927, Rabindranath had become a renowned figure and discussed issues with national leaders where he attempted to put an end to nationalism (Ghosh 19). He wrote many poems, short stories, and novels and he had a great desire to produce numerous literary works. Some of his famous short stories are ‘Haimanti,’ ‘Kshudita Pashan,’ and ‘Kabuliwala’ (Ghosh 23). Tagore novels such as ‘Noukadubi,’ ‘Gora,’ and ‘Chaturanga’ illustrated the impending dangers of nationalism and social evils. The poems he wrote drew inspiration from the ancient poets like Ramprasad Sen. Poems such as ‘Purobi,’ ‘Sonar Tori and ‘Gitanjali’ infused his style of writing, and this has a profound impact in making people recognize his works. He also wrote many dramas which reflected the Indian mythology as well as the contemporary social issues. At 16 years, he started his painting career and were exhibited throughout Europe. Notably, his style reflected masterpiece coloring and aesthetics. Haida carvings and Malanggan people influenced his craftwork (Sen 6).
Contribution to Politics and the Indian Society
Rabindranath’s political view and legacy evidence a remarkable ambivalence, and he vitally denounced the European imperialism. He voiced his full support to the Indian nationalists who opposed nationalism. He viewed the control of British as a political symptom that propagated a social disease. He, therefore, denounced nationalism as he alluded that it formed one of the greatest humanity problems. He wrote that “A nation is that aspect which a whole population assumes when organized for a mechanical purpose" (Bhattacharya and Renganathan 8). Tagore informed people about his vision of Unity, and he delivered many lectures on nationalism. He also wrote songs which ionized the Indian independence movement and protested against the Amritsar massacre after renouncing his knighthood placed on him by Lord Hardinge in 1915 (Bhattacharya and Renganathan 22). He initiated the protest after 379 unarmed civilians were killed by the British soldiers.
He challenged the spatial dimension of modernity through criticizing Eurocentrism and their imperialist agenda. He played a key role in building bridges with social activists and together with the western intellectuals they eliminated the shortcomings of liberal politics. He was an admirable figure and one of the finest minds in the Indian political system. Rabindranath’s philosophy of universal humanism made him have geographical magnitude impact. He was committed to universal brotherhood and promoted the values of Indian culture. His broad liberal outlook made him criticize the Western imperialist powers. Notably, the sensitive mind he had made him able to decipher the ills that strongly plagued the Indian society. Tagore addressed the social malice and suggested ways of removing the problems. His multi-pronged approach inspired the freedom achievement, and the reforms he made in education were a cornerstone in building the nation. Rabindranath was also vitally instrumental in resolving the Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar and Gandhi dispute.
Tagore's Role in Indian Independence Movement
He actively focused on national freedom movement after the Indian National Congress was established in 1885. Tagore watched with weariness the tussles that existed among the Extremists and the Moderates when Gandhi was established in 1919. His book called the nationalism denotes to be his essential work in the political field (Collins 7). The book airs the grievances of Indian society and addresses the leadership under the imperialist rule. He wanted the struggle against the Britain government to be a sporadic and a symbol of self-sufficiency. Rabindranath was convinced that weaving the Indian society was through advocating for freedom. Therefore, he was one of the key individuals behind the Indian independence. The movement contributed numerous passionate and unique ideas which help to realized independence. He disagreed with Gandhi’s political ideas concerning Indian independence to resist British control. He was offered the knighthood by the royalty as he renounced against the brutal genocide by the British military. Tagore played a key role in changing the way the Indians saw the world. He was awarded the title Viswa Kavi which means “poet of the world” due to his universal ideology (Dutta and Robinson 8). He advocated for global integrity during the freedom movement and thus presumed to be a gateway to the world. His songs like Akash Bhora Surjo Tara, Biswa Bhora Praan propelled his philosophy to change the world (Collins 43). The objective of the freedom movement was to change India from protesting nation to progress one. More importantly, the independence of India was coined in his ideology for universal brotherhood and peace.
Tagore's Social Reforms and Educational Contributions
Tagore made great social reforms in Indian society. He was involved in the Bengal Partition on October 16 in 1905 when Bengal was to be divided into two parts. The social integrity of different communities in the region made the British government to get worried. Britain wanted to divide Bengal and rule. The idea sparked a widespread national protest in the country. Tagore composed a song called Banglar Mati Banglar Jol which was geared to unite the Bengalis including the Muslims and the Hindu. The two parts were reunited in 1911.
Rabindranath played a critical role in promoting educational reforms. Tagore went against the conventional western education system because he believed that it was necessary for one to interact with nature in order to learn. He started the Visva Bharati University foundation in 1918 where he modeled the education system to a holistic developmental process. The money he won at the Nobel prices was invested in Bolpur town and named it Shantiniketan to mean peace. He lashed against the English orthodox educational system that was introduced in India. In the short story, "The Parrot's Training" the views he portrayed crystalized his magnetic force to transform the world (Bhattacharya and Renganathan 30).
Tagore's Impact on Indian Nationalism and Literature
The stun opposition and the noncooperation towards the modern nationalism were entrenched in need to inspire nationhood and promote peace. He thus realized self-respect for the common man through literature. Perhaps, his lasting legacy is seen in the idea of drafting the Indian national anthem “Jana gana mana adhinayaka jaya he” (Ghosh 23). He also installed patriotic thinking in people and ushered in new religious thinking through reforming the Hindu religious philosophy. Besides, the Swadeshi Movement started during the Partition of Bengal and targeted the economic stronghold of the British in India (Ghosh 14). The British monopolies sold Indian products at an inflated price, and this led to boycotting of the foreign products. The support for boycott promoted the self-sufficiency concept, and this was an effective strategy championed by Tagore. Furthermore, his novel called Ghare Baire poignantly depicts the Swadeshi Movement and its predicaments. The novel is Rabindranath’s mouth-piece against the harsh treatment of Muslim traders (Bhattacharya and Renganathan 37). The boycott of the foreign goods formed part of the extensive and disturbing anti-colonial politics and mirrored the rise of nationalism revolution fuelled by Rabindranath.
Conclusion
Rabindranath changed the Bengali literature and left a lasting impression in the Indian society. He was a legendary writer whose works were widely recognized internationally. He was a visionary individual who revolutionized education and literature in India. He did not only enrich the Indian literature but also made a vital contribution to freedom struggle in the pre-independence period. Tagore’s views and opinion regarding politics and social life made him face criticisms from the agitators and radical politicians especially from the upper class. Many did not take the time to listen to his opinions due to his low educational standards. However, those who criticized him failed to understand his objectives for creating the struggle revolutionary movement. He addressed nationalism and championed for Indian independence. Therefore, it is easy to conclude that Tagore was an Indian iconography in the national struggle to realize freedom against the British rule. He significantly reshaped the Indian society in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Works Cited
Bhattacharya, Arnab, and Mala Renganathan. The Politics and Reception of Rabindranath Tagore's Drama. The Bard on the Stage. Taylor & Francis Ltd, 2015.
Collins, Michael. Empire, Nationalism and the Postcolonial World. Routledge, 2012.
Dutta, Krishna, and Andrew Robinson. Rabindranath Tagore. Tauris Parke Paperbacks, 2009.
Ghosh, Ranjan. "Rabindranath and Rabindranath Tagore: Home, World, History". History and Theory, vol 54, no. 4, 2015, pp. 125-148. Wiley, doi:10.1111/hith.10782.
Sen Gupta, Kalyan. The Philosophy of Rabindranath Tagore. Ashgate, 2005.
